The interim administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Major General Barry Ndiomu (rted), has condemned the alleged assassination attempt on the Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom, HRM Danladi Owoupele, in Patani Local Government Area of Delta State.
Owoupele was reportedly attacked by unidentified gunmen last week along the Bomadi-Ohoro road, while returning from a meeting of traditional rulers in the state.
Reacting to the incident, Ndiomu in a statement signed by his special assistant, media, Thomas Peretu, made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, described the attack as unfortunate and callous.
He said it was unthinkable that the respected monarch, known for promoting peace in the Niger Delta region would be a target of such attack.
The amnesty boss however expressed gratitude to God for sparing the monarch’s life and called on the security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure the perpetrators were apprehended.
The statement read, “Reports of the attempted assassination of the Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom are very disturbing. I strongly condemn it and call on security agencies to fish out those behind it.
“Our traditional rulers cannot be subjected to such traumatic experience while playing their role of promoting peace in the Niger Delta as the Pere of Tarakiri kingdom is doing.
“They should be protected at all times with regards to their respected institutions.”
Ndiomu called on youths in the Niger Delta not to allow their selves to be used as agents of destabilisation, saying such mindless attacks were capable of truncating the existing peace in the region.
He said the Presidential Amnesty Programme under his watch would continue to continue explore the right avenues for sustained peace and stability, working with other stakeholders across the region.